Container and method of making the same



March 10, 1942 W.'J. GEIST "2,275,896 I CONTAINER AND METHOD OF MAKINGTHE SAME I Filed April 20, 1939 2 Sheets-Skeet 1 l0 2 W \a a a J m 6 a v5 Ill |.-I II,IIIY 'lvl I II III 1 L I Hu I n L l r; I; n 4

March 10, 1942. w. J. GEIST CONTAINER AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAME 2Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 20,1939

Jaye/7X0! Mum/v J 51167 "3 Patented Man. 10, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFICE 2,275,896 CONTAINER AND MgTHOD OF MAKING THE AME William J. Geist,Richmond Heights, Mo. Application April 20, 1939, Serial No. 268,900

Claims.

'This invention relates to containers and relates more particularly topaper or cardboard containers and to methods of making the same. Ageneral object of this invention is to provide a simple, practical andinexpensive paper container and a commercially practical method ofmaking the same.

Another object of this invention is to provide a container formedfibrous material that may be quickly opened by merely pulling free anopening strip or tear strip, which operation frees the cover of thecontainer for immediate removal.

Another object of this invention is to provide a container of thecharacter mentioned in which the tear strip is a free,-independent,section of the container body capable of being removed without tearing,bending, distorting or otherwise injuring the body or the cover portionof the container.

Another object of this invention is to provide a container of thecharacter mentioned in which the label serves to retain the free stripin its place in the body wall and to seal at the cuts defining the tearstrip.

Another object of this invention is to provide a container of thecharacter mentioned in which the label is prepared to readily part ortear along definite lines when the tear strip is withdrawn to open thecontainer.

Another object of this invention is to provide a container of thecharacter mentioned embodying a liner having sealing contact with thecon-. tainer heads or ends providing effective seals above and below thetear strip to assure the complete sealing of the container.

Another object of this invention is to provide a container of thecharacter mentioned so constructed that the upper head and the sectionof the body seamed thereto form a cover adapted to be replaced on theliner after the container has been opened.

Another object of this invention isto provide a method for making acontainer of the character mentioned in which the tear strip is cut orformed simultaneously with the formation of the container body so thatthe body may be formed of a simple length or strip of paper stock andmay have as many layers or laminations as required.

Another object of this invention is to provide a method for making acontainer of the character referred to in which the label is applied andscored during the formation of the body or immediately thereafter tobind together the sevof paper, cardboard, or other vention and willfollow such description with a eral parts or sections of the body 'forhandling as a unit.

Another object of this invention is to provide a method of the charactermentioned that includes the cutting of the tear strip and the label toprovide a tab or free end that is easily accessible for grasping w enthe tear strip is to be removed.

A further object of this invention is to provide a method of thecharacter mentioned in which the operations of forming the body,defining the tear strip, applying the label, scoring the label andcutting single mandrel in a single series of operations.

The various objects and features of my invention will be fullyunderstood from the following detailed description of typical preferredforms and applications of the apparatus and a manner of carrying out themethod of the invention, throughout which description reference is madeto the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. l is a perspective view of one form of container of the invention.Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal detailed sectional viewof the container shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of thecontainer with the tear strip removed. Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentarylongitudinal detailed sectional view of the container with the tearstrip removed. Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the container with thecover portion removed. Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinaldetailed sectional view of the container with the cover portion'removed.Fig. 7 isa fragmentary side elevation of another form of container ofthe invention, and Fig. 8 is a more or less diagrammatic viewillustrating the manner in which' the container is constructed inaccordance with the invention.

I will first proceed with a detailed description of two typical forms ofcontainers of the in disclosure of the tainers.

The container of the present invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 6,inclusive, may be said to comprise, generally, a tubular body 10, partedor out along spaced adjacent lines II to have a removable tear strip l2,a tubular liner l3 in the body l0, ends or heads l4 closing the ends ofthe body l0, and sealing with the liner l3, and a label IS on the bodyl0 retaining the tear strip l2 and the other parts of the body in theassembled relation.

The body I0 is a tubular element formed of method of making theconpaper, cardboard, or other fibrous material, and

the tab are performed on a in practice may be cylindrical and of uniformdiameter. As will be later described, the body III is preferably formedby wrapping a strip of paper stock, or the like, on a mandrel to providethe body wall with two or more wrappings or layers. These layers of thebody III are adhewedgingengagement of the liner I3 with the shoulders 2Iand the internal surface of the body Il increases the rigidity of thecontainer. The

sively secured together to increase the strength of the body. Thecontainer body Ill may be coated, treated, or formed to be moistureproof and to be resistant to the material to be packaged.

In accordance with the invention the body I!) is sectional, that is, itis cut to have the removable tear strip I2. The tear strip I2 isadjacent but spaced from the upper end of the body III. The strip I2 isformed by making two spaced parallel circumferential cuts II through thewall of the tubular body III. The cuts II divide the body It into amajor lower portion, the tear strip I2 and an upper section I6. It is tobe understood that the cuts II are continuous .and that the tear stripI2 extends completely around the body to separate or space its-majorlower portion and its upper section I8. The

tear strip I2 is cut or split having a cut I! connecting the two outs II. The cut I1 is preferably V-shaped as best illustrated in Fig. 1, toprovide the strip I2 with a tab or end that may be easily pried out orprojected from the surface of the body for ready grasping.

The liner I3 is arranged in the tubular body I and lies against theinternal surfaceof the body. The liner I2 is a simple, tubular member ofpaper, cardboard or the like, coated, treated or formed to be moistureproof and resistant to the action of the material to be packaged. In

' accordance with the invention the liner I3 is proportioned toaccurately fit the body III and its engagement with. the internalsurface of the body serves to strengthen the body and to hold itsseveral sections against radial or lateral shifting and displacement. Itis: preferred to construct the liner I3 shorter than the body IB so thatits ends are spaced inwardly from the ends at the body. The oppositeends I8 of the liner I3 are sloping or beveled for the purpose to behereinafter described.

The ends or heads it close the opposite ends of the container body to.The heads Il may be formed of metal, for example, they may beconstructed of the tin plate commonly employed in containers. In thepreferred construction the heads H are alike in size and construction.Beads or seams I9 serve to secure the heads ll to the body ID. The seamsIII are curled or seamed on the body III in the manner well known tothose skilled in the art. In accordance with the invention the heads I4are shaped to engage against the ends of the body I0 and are depressedto have axial flanges 20 engage against the inner surface of the body.The heads I4 'are provided with sloping shoulders 2| which extendinwardly from the "flanges 20. The shoulders 2I are annular and havesealing cooperation with the bevelled ends I8 of the liner I3. When theheads Il are seamed to the container body III the shoulders 2| arebrought intotight sealing cooperation with the liner ends I8. The tightengagement of the shoulders 2I with the liner ends it causes the endportions of the liner I3 to be wedged against the inner surface of thebody Ill. Thus the liner I3 seals with the heads I4 and 'with the bodyIt at the opposite endsof the container to assure the complete air-tightand fluid through the label I5 to be going detailed description.

inner portions of the heads Il may be grooved,

corrugated or stepped'to'increase the rigidity of the heads.

The label I5 is applied to the external surface of the body It and isprovided to carry the printed matter, trade-mark, etc. The label I5.isformed of paper, or the like, and is preferably a continuous strip orsection of material extending completely around the body III. In thepreferred construction the label I5 is proportioned to have its edgesadjacent the seams I9. The ends ofthe label I5 preferably overlap sothat the label constitutes a continuous or endless seal around the bodyIll. The inner surface of the label I5 is adhesively secured to the bodyI0. The adhesive is preferably evenly distributed so that the label issecured to the body throughout its circumference and length. The labelI5 arranged and applied as above described covers and conceals the tearstrip l2 and ties together or connects the section I5 and the tear stripI2 with the major lower portion of the body III. The liner I3 closelyfitting in the body I0 prevents lateral relative movement of the bodyparts and the label I5 serves primarily to prevent relative endwise orrelative longitudinal movement of the body parts. The label I5 operatesto hold the section It and the major portion of the body III in close ortight engagemeh with the opposite edges of the tear strip I2 so t at theassembly is, in effect, a continuous tubular element.

The cut I! described above, extends into or visible and engageable atthe exterior of the container. It is preferred to print or otherwise\mark the label I5 with instructions regarding tab provided by the outII. In some cases it may be preferred to leave the label I5 imperforate,that is, to confine the cut H to the tear strip I2, in which case thelabel may carry instructions regarding the tearing or perforating of thelabel to expose the tab at the cut.

The label l5 may tend to tear crookedly or to peel oil when the tearstrip I2 is removed and the invention provides means for preventing thisand for. assuring the straight cutting or tearing of the label. Spacedcircumferential lines 22 of scoring are provided in the label I5adjacent the cuts II. It is preferred to offset the scoring lines 22from the cuts II so that the label will not be perforated or cut when itis scored.

It is believed that the utility and practicability of the containerillustrated in Figs; 1 to 6, inclusive, will be readily understood fromthe fore- Prior to the opening of the container the section I6 and thetear strip I2 are rigidly and dependably secured to the main portion ofthe body I0 so that the container is strong and rigid. The liner I3resists any tendency of the body parts to shift laterally while thelabel I5 securely holds the body parts against axial shifting. Theshoulders 2| .of the heads II eflectively seal with the beveled ends I8of the liner I3 and hold the liner in tight sealing engagement with thebody Ill so that the container is air tight and fluid tight. It is to beobserved that the container doesnot have any unsightly projections,keys, tabs or the like.

When it is desired'to open the container the label IS'and the tear stripI2 are engaged at the the engagement of the.

. outside of the container body.

tab provided by the V -shaped cut I! and the tear strip is pulled orunwound from the container. This, of course, disconnects the bodysection I6 from the main lower portion of the body and the section I6with the upper head I4 may be slid from the liner I3. 'This, of course,completes the opening of the container. When it is desired to reclosethe container the section I6 is slid down over the projecting upperportion of the liner I3 to a position such as illustrated in Figs. 3 and4. When this is done the shoulder 2| of the upper head I4 seats on thebeveled upper end II! of the liner I3 to reseal the container. The freeor projecting upper portion of the liner I3 forms an effective carrierfor the cover section I6 and its head Id. The container.

of the invention may be opened without employing keys, or other tools,and may be closed after opening by replacing the section IS with itshead I4.

Fig. 7 of the drawings illustrates a form of container in which the bodyI has a single circumferential cut H -The cut II divides the containerbody into a major lower portion and a short upper-section I6. Heads I4are applied to the opposite ends of the container, as described above,and a label I5 is applied to the The label I5" covers and conceals thecut II and serves to connect the section I 6 with the main part of thecontainer body. Lines 22 of scoring are provided in the label I5 and arespaced at opposite sides of the cut II" to assure the straight cuttingor tearing of the label when the container is opened. The containerillustrated in Fig. 7 of the drawings may be readily opened by drawing afingernail or a knife blade or similar implement along the cut II to cutthrough the label I5. This operation of course frees the section I6 andits head I4 from the container and the section may be readily slid fromthe liner [3. The section I5 carrying its head Mamay be reapplied to theliner I3 to close the container.-

The method of the invention for producing the container illustrated inFigs. 1 to 6, inclusive, may be said to comprise, generally, the formingof the body III, the making of the cuts II during forming of the bodyI0, the application of the label I5 to the body III, the scoring of thelabel IS, the formation of the cut I1, the assembling of the liner I3 inthe body I0 and the application of the heads Id.

The body I0 is formed by wrapping a length of paper stock 30 on amandrel 3|. The mandrel M is intermittently rotated and has alongitudinal slot 32 receiving the advancing edge of the body stock 30.The body stock 30 is convolutely wound or wrapped on the mandrel 3I byrotating the mandrel and the stock is guided by a guide G to have itsedges even and in common planes. One surface of the body stock 30carries an adhesive so that the layers or wrappings constituting thebody I0 are adhesively joined. The body stock 30 is of such length thatthe body III has two or more layers or convolutions.

The cuts I I defining the tear strip I2 are made simultaneously with theformation of the body I0. The spaced parallel cuts II are made in thebody stock 30 as the stock passes onto themandrel 3I.' With the typicalequipment illustrated sharpened disc-shaped cutters '34 are fixed on arotating shaft S and are rotated to cut through the strip of stock 30when the same is wound on the mandrel 3I. The cutters 34 cut through thebody stock 30 the entire length of the stock as the stock advances tothe mandrel. It 'is to be noted that the cuts II are formed in thesimple length of paper stock 30 at the time of formation of the bodyIll, making it unnecessary to employ pre-cut stock and eliminating aseparate cutting operation.

Following the wrapping or forming of the body I0 the body is shifted orslid along the mandrel 3I. The adhesive holds the several layers of thebody together so that the body maintains its cylindrical form. Theinvention contemplates the successive formation of a plurality ofcontainer bodies Ill and at the completion of each body Ill it isshifted along the mandrel 3I a distance equal to or slightly greaterthan its length to advance the previously formed bodies an equaldistance. A lever L may operate a shifting ring 35 along the mandrel 3|to successively advance the bodies I0.

The label I5 printed to have the trademark, directions, instructions,etc. is applied to the container body I0 after the body has been shiftedalong the mandrel 3I from its point of formation. Thus, in-the caseillustrated, the label I5 is applied to one of the bodies III at a pointsome distance from the'body stock 30 being wrapped on the mandrel. Thelabel I5 is preferably a precut length of paper, or the like, guidedonto the selected body I0 so that its longitudinal edges are adjacentthe ends of the body. The carries adhesive which is placed to contactthe external surface of the body I0 so that it secures the label to thebody. The ends of the label I5 overlap when the label is wrapped on thebody II]. It will be apparent how the label I5 may be brought againstthe body I0 to be wrapped on the body when the same rotates with themandrel 3|. The label I5 may be applied to the body I0 simultaneouslywith the wrapping or forming of one of the other bodies I0.

The cut I! may be made following the application of the label I5. Thecut I! may be formed in the container body just before the same leavesthe mandrel 3|, that is, it may be formed in the container body I0 aboutto leave the mandrel. Any suitable means may be utilized to make the cutI1. In the case illustrated a spring held punch or cutter 3B issupported by an arm 39 and is actuated by a rocker 40. The rocker 40 maybe timed to actuate the cutter 38 when the endmost container body I0 isstationary.

The label I5 may be scored either before or following the making of thecut ll. The scoring lines 22 may be made by discs 42 fixed to arotatable shaft 43 which is controlled and moved to bring the discs intoengagement with'the label I5 at the proper time and in propersynchronism with the other elementsof the machine. Following theformation of the cut I! and the scoring lines 22 the container body Illcarrying the label I5 passes from the mandrel 3|.

The liner I3 is then assembled in the body I0. The liner I 3 may beformed in any selected manner and is pre-cut to have the bevelled endsI8. Following the insertion of the liner I3 a head I4 is applied to oneend of the body I0. The container is then filled and the other head I4is seamed to the body. This completes the formation of the container.

Having described only typical preferred forms and applications of theapparatus of my invention, and a typical manner of carrying out themethod, I do not wish to be limited or restricted,

label I5 to the specific details herein set forth, but wish to reserveto myself any variations or modifications that may appear to thoseskilled in the art or fall within the scope of the following claims.

'end sections, a tubular liner fitted in the body.

heads seamed to the opposite ends of the body and sealing with the endsof the liner, and an outer frangible covering member secured to theouter surface of the body to connect the end sections and scored tobreak adjacent saidv cuts when the strip is removed, there being alignedcuts in the strip and covering member generally transverse of the firstnamed cults providing a tab engageable for the purpose of removing thestrip.

2. A container comprising a tubular body having spaced circumferentialcuts dividing .it into end sections and a removable strip between theend sections, a tubular liner fitted in the body.v

heads seamed to the opposite ends of the body and sealing with the endsof the liner, and an outer frangible covering secured about the body andconnecting said end sections and designed to break along lines adjacentthe cuts when the strip is removed, there being a cut in thestripconnecting said spaced cuts and an aligned cut in the outer coveringproviding a tab engageable to remove the strip;

3. A container comprising a tubular body having spaced circumferentialcuts dividing it into end sections and a removable strip between the endsections, the striphaving a transverse cut, a tubular liner fitted inthe body and having ta-' pered ends, heads seamed to the opposite endsbody.

.tubular liner of fibrous material in 'aamaee of the body,

tapered shoulders .on the heads sealing with the tapered ends of theliner, and an outer member adhesively secured on the body to cover saidcuts and to connect the end sections and strip and designed to fail whenthe strip is removed, the outer member having a cut registering with thecut in the strip whereby the strip is accessible for removal.

4. A container comprising a tubular fibrous body having a pair of spacedcircumferential cuts dividing it into a lower section, an upper sectionand a removable strip between the sections, a tubular liner of fibrousmaterial in the metal heads seamed on the ends of the body and sealingwith the ends of the liner, and a paper label adhesively secured on thebody to connect the end sections and the strip, there being a cut in thelabel and said strip parting the strip and making the strip accessiblefor removal to break the label and thus allow the removal of the uppersection and its head.

5. A container comprising dividing ittinto a lower section, an uppersection and a removable strip between the sections, a the body, metalheads seamed on the ends of the body and sealing with the ends of theliner, and a paper label adhesively secured on the body to connect therebeing a cut parting the strip and making the strip accessible forremoval to break the label and thus allow the removal of the uppersection and its head, the label having lines of weakening offset fromthe pair of cuts so the label breaks along definite lines.

WILLIAM J. GEIST.

a tubular fibrous body having a pair of spaced circumferential cuts

